Review into Higher Education Provider Category Standards will be commenced to ensure quality education from universities and non-university providers. 

It will also ensure that this education sector has the capacity to meet the evolving needs of students, employers, and the wider community. 

“It’s important the provider categories can accommodate changing practices in higher education and encourage choice of educational offerings to students, while continuing to provide the quality education the Australian community expects,” Minister for Education Dan Tehan said. 

The standards have been used as a regulatory tool for higher education providers, while also setting expectations and requirements. 

In the upcoming review, all higher education providers must prove they meet conditions around research, community engagements and quality assurance. 

In addition, the review will examine how the standards should evolve to improve the flexibility and transparency of the sector. 

Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake AO, who was formerly the Vice-Chancellor of Queensland University of Technology and the previous Chair of Universities Australia and Australian Technology Network of Universities, will lead the review.

“I’m delighted to lead this important conversation with the higher education sector and its many stakeholders. I’m looking forward to hearing ideas on how we can make the provider categories more flexible, transparent and fit for the future,” Professor Coaldrake said. 

The discussion paper is due to be released later this year. The final report is expected to be submitted to the Government in 2019.